Pharmacologically induced prolonged erections produced by papaverine. Follow-up of injection therapy

Over a 27 months period papaverine induced erections were routinely used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 53 patients, 29 with neurogenic, 20 with arteriogenic, one with a combined arteriogenic/neurogenic ED and 4 with ED of uncertain etiology, in total used 1149 injections, of which 1069 (93%) produced erections with a rigidity sufficient for vaginal penetration. Fifteen patients discontinued treatment during the observation period. Nine patients experienced sustained erections on 16 occasions; all cases were managed by aspiration of blood and/or injection of adrenergic drugs. Penile indurations occurred in three cases, one of which resolved spontaneously. Papaverine induced erections was found to be an effective and well tolerated tool in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.